Niger State governor Umaru Bago has taken custody of the remaining 130 students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The governor received the freed victims at the Government House in Minna on Tuesday, describing their release as a huge relief, particularly given the young age of many of the children.
Bago expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the service chiefs, and various security agencies for their decisive roles in ensuring the safe return of the remaining Papiri schoolchildren and staff.
The governor also praised traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, and concerned citizens whose collective efforts contributed to the successful rescue of all those abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School.
He said the victims would undergo medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
Speaking on the development, the NSA’s representative, Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the rescue followed a presidential directive that led to intensive and coordinated operations by the NSA in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), other security agencies, and international partners.
He reaffirmed the Office of the NSA’s commitment to working with state governments and relevant stakeholders to implement lasting, community-based security solutions and safeguard every Nigerian child’s right to education.
Gunmen had stormed the Catholic school in the early hours of November 21, abducting over 300 pupils, teachers, and other staff. Sources said the attackers arrived in large numbers on more than 60 motorcycles, accompanied by a van, and shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him seriously injured.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage. On December 7, the Federal Government announced the release of 100 of the abducted children.